Tsunami alert in Japan after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake

The prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwateha issued a tsunami warning after an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.6 struck the northeastern coast of Japan. The country's Meteorological Agency warned that waves could reach up to three meters in height. The epicenter of the earthquake was located 80 km off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, at a depth of 50 km, according to the same agency. The intensity, registered as 6 or higher on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, was such that it made it impossible to stand or move without crawling. So far, the earthquake has caused some disruption. East Japan Railway 9020.T has suspended some services in the area, the same area that was affected by another earthquake of magnitude 9.0 in March 2011. In addition, thousands of people have lost power, according to Tohoku Electric Power Company.

Episodes like this are relatively common in Japan, one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, experiencing a tremor every five minutes. This is because the country lies within the "Ring of Fire," an area of intense seismic and volcanic activity, home to 75% of the world's active volcanoes and the site of nearly 90% of the planet's earthquakes.